Mauricio Pochettino has made a request over Chelsea's transfer business before taking the vacant managerial position, according to reports. The former Tottenham boss appears the favourite to take the position in the dugout at Stamford Bridge next season, succeeding Graham Potter.
Frank Lampard is tasked with guiding the side to the end of the season and placing the foundations for the next manager to take over and succeed. There will be plenty of things the next boss will have to iron out though, with concerns over performances, a lack of goals and the general squad balance.
"There is a balance of the squad to address, everyone can see that," the interim manager told the press after defeat to Brentford. "You're right about what can you do because this has been a problem that predates me coming into this. When there are not so many goals you also have to make sure you've players who can do a tactical job and work for the team.
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"We saw that against Madrid, played a similar starting lineup in terms of goal, everybody told me there aren't many goals, those are my options. We have to keep working and fighting to try and create opportunities to score goals. I think it's two things."
The squad balance is something Pochettino will have to address if he takes the job, adding his own players in the summer while also moving some on. Stars nearing the end of their contracts are discussed as potential options to leave, however one fringe squad player could be set to stay.
According to Calciomercato, Pochettino has requested that Christian Pulisic stays at the club this summer, despite rumours of an exit. The 24-year-old is yet to make a lasting impression at Stamford Bridge since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund, often floating around the first-team, but not one of the first names on the teamsheet.
This season he has just one goal and two assists to his name across all competitions and with just over 12-months left on his contract, his future may be uncertain. However, with Pochettino's arrival, the USMNT international could be handed a final opportunity to revive his Chelsea career.
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